A hydrogen hub with the capacity to fuel 2,200 heavy vehicles for a year will receive $70 million from the Federal Government.
The Bell Bay hydrogen hub in Northern Tasmania is expected to annually produce 45,000 tonnes of renewable hydrogen.
Bell Bay, which will be powered by Tasmania’s 100 per cent renewables-based electricity grid, is considered an ideal location for a hydrogen hub with its deep-water port.
The total investment will be at least $300 million including funding from the Commonwealth and Tasmanian Government, as well as the private sector.
It will generate around 740 jobs in management and maintenance such as engineers and technicians, while hub construction will provide work for local skilled trades like concreters, plumbers, fitters and electricians.
The project will commence this year and will be complete by early 2028.
Bell Bay is part of over $500 million in Commonwealth funding for hydrogen hubs in regional centres like Kwinana, the Pilbara, Gladstone, Townsville, Port Bonython and the Hunter that will create new industries and regional job opportunities.
Tasmanian Minister for Energy and Renewables Nick Duigan said delivering the Bell Bay hub was a huge step towards a major new industry.
“Northern Tasmania is set to be the new home of renewable energy generation, using projects like this to attract huge investments in renewable hydrogen for use in Australia and supply to the world,” Duigan said.
“Bell Bay is perfectly placed to be a world-class green hydrogen hub, with its established port infrastructure and highly experienced and skilled workforce,” he said.
Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen said supporting renewable hydrogen production was vital to Australia’s future as a green energy exporter and green manufacturing nation.
“Investing in an Australian renewable hydrogen industry is investing in Australia’s future to become a renewable energy superpower,” Bowen said.
“Bell Bay is a production and export powerhouse, backed by 100 per cent renewable electricity, and this hub will provide jobs, support new manufacturing and spur investment in regional Australia as the world decarbonises.”
The Tasmanian Government is leading a consortium of partners, including TasPorts, TasNetworks, TasWater, TasIrrigation and the Bell Bay Advanced Manufacturing Zone, to deliver the project.